Azrael's Light [Demon Runners of Unearth] (Siren Publishing Classic) (18 page)

Silently, with his heart thundering against her back, he held her as if he couldn’t bear to ever let her go.

“How is she?” After they’d silently dried each other and dressed, Azrael stood at the door to Lauren’s room watching patiently as Diane checked on the woman’s fragile progress. Lying in the soft glow of candlelight, she resembled a pale and silent ghost. Some of the swelling in her face had eased, and the patchwork of stitches and bruises had faded until they’d become a yellow-and-green jigsaw puzzle.

There was no doubt it would be a long, hard fight, but Diane had faith that together the two of them could do it.

“She’s healing slower than I’d like, but at least we’ve made some progress.”

“Then I’d have to say that she is a remarkably brave woman. It takes a tremendous amount of strength to fight when you’re so helpless and broken.”

“Honestly, at this point, I think the love she has for her unborn daughter is the only thing keeping her heart beating. Without the baby she carries, I don’t believe I would have a chance of saving her.” Diane quietly closed the door to Lauren’s room, and they moved to the living area.

She sat on the couch and curled her feet beneath her. She’d expected him to sit with her, but he began to pace the length of the large room, his heavy boots never making a sound against the hardwood floors.

As much as she’d like to pretend she understood where things stood between them, she never lied to herself and wasn’t going to start now. She needed to face the truth and find out why he was back.

“Azrael, why are you here? I’m happy to see you, but I’ll have to admit to not knowing what’s going on here. With you, or with us.” She hadn’t intended to let that little bit of sadness into her voice, but it was there regardless, plain for him to see. It was just as well. She didn’t have it in her to play games. Too much was at stake, and she was so damn tired.

“I couldn’t stay away any longer. Before all this started, I was on one of my very few vacations. I’d just begun to relax when Lilith showed up and turned my world upside down. I was furious she would be so selfish as to take the only free time I would have for possibly another two hundred years. When I left here the other night, I delivered those wretched souls to Abbadon and then headed straight to the boat and my vacation. I had every intention of using every last second of my free time in peace and solitude.”

Even as her own feelings were in turmoil, she couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy as he continued to pace and run his hands through his hair. On the other hand, it was a little comforting to know she wasn’t the only one who felt as if she were walking on unfamiliar ground.

“Is your vacation time up now?” She watched his long, muscled legs eat up the room in just a few strides. Again and again. He reminded her of a great caged beast, anxious and tense.

“No, it’s not. I still have this one night left before I return to service.”

Her breath caught deep in her throat as she watched the one and only Soul Runner settle on his knees below her, as if she were his queen. He took a deep breath as his gorgeous burgundy eyes looked up into hers.

“When I returned to my boat, I expected to find peace, but instead the only thing I found was an ache deep in my chest. I was lonely. There was no longer any comfort in the ocean’s vastness. Despite finding the warmth and quiet I’d searched for, I missed something even more vital.”

He wasn’t talking about her or what they had together, was he? In the short time he’d been gone, she’d ached with that same hollow emptiness, even when she was surrounded by crowds of people at the club. Was it really possible he felt the same as she? After a lifetime of self-imposed loneliness, she was too scared to open her heart to hope.

She wanted to look at the floor or his boots, anywhere but into his eyes. That wasn’t fair. He’d come back to her and opened his heart to her. Regardless of the outcome, she needed to do the same with him. She made herself hold his gaze and ask the question that made her fear and hope at the same time.

“What were you missing?”

“You. After I returned to my boat, it didn’t take long at all to realize that without your presence, the warmth of the sun paled in comparison to the soft light of your moon. Without you in my life, I have nothing but darkness.” He gripped her small hands in his larger ones. The hands that carried death every day cradled hers as if they were made of the most precious crystal.

“Who would have thought Lilith would be the one to give me the greatest gift of all, someone to love? Diane, I love you. Without you I am nothing more than a slave to the Fates. You make me a whole male and I want more for us. Will you let me be a part of your life?”

How could she resist when one of the strongest immortals in existence, complete with his heart of gold, sat at her feet and poured his soul into her lap? He was so much more than she’d ever hoped to have. His strength, compassion, and loyalty were all tied up into the sexiest package she’d ever seen. She took her hands from his and grasped his in hers as best she could.

“Azrael. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Since you left, I’ve been so lonely. When you didn’t return, I feared I would never see you again. My chest ached with the loss. I’m not sure how I could survive without you in my life. I love you, too.” He rose to his knees, grasped her hips, and pulled her into his tight embrace.

She swore she almost heard Alia whispering in her ear, “I told you so.”

Letting Mom and Dad fuss over her was exhausting, frustrating, and necessary. As much as she’d love nothing more than to run and hide or better yet, continue to search for her love, there was no stopping a parent’s concern. And as much as she wanted to strangle them at times, her love for them would never die.

She’d given her father as many details as she could about where she’d been and what she’d been doing while she’d been away, which meant she’d had to do some fast talking because he’d go nuclear if he knew everything. She’d begged him to take her on a walk-about like they’d done when she was younger. The stir-craziness she’d used as an excuse had quickly become all too real.

They’d only traveled through a couple of circles, but the distraction had eased him a little. Though she’d now have to apologize to the young demon he’d nearly burned to a crisp for looking at her for that split second. She would have to try and sneak him a little jar of the healing Naldrahn salve, but even then the poor thing would never be the same.

She’d allowed her mother to apologize profusely, again and again, even though she’d tired of the odd combination of excuses and remorse after about thirty seconds. She’d had to give herself a mental pat on the back for stomaching more than a week of it.

Without Diane’s knowledge she’d concentrated her focus on The Seven. That’s what the elder gods had begun calling them. Even though her power of foresight wouldn’t allow her to see what terrors lay down their path, she may have found a small way to aid them and in turn help her aunt. And there wasn’t a single thing she wouldn’t do for Diane, even if it meant raiding her mother’s closet.

Her mother housed her magic tools in an enormous room that took up nearly one entire wing of the castle. Not even her daughter was permitted in there. Not that her mother would ever notice, considering the mess the place was in. She would never miss the one small item she held in her hands. The only other thing she needed to help her aunt was to find a way out of the keep, unnoticed for two minutes. That’s all she needed.

Then, she would bide her time until her father relaxed his guard over her and she could continue her search. No matter how long it took, or where she had to travel, she wouldn’t give up. She was Lucifer’s daughter and would use every trick in her bag to find him. She knew deep in her heart something was wrong and no one, not even her father could convince her otherwise.

One way or another, she’d find Andras.

Two weeks passed in a busy whirlwind. Things were going well at the club and she would still work there, but just not as often. Alice was a bar owner’s dream come true. She worked tirelessly and it showed through increased business and revenue. She couldn’t have asked for better help.

Brick continued to watch Alice closely and she continued to alternate between giving him the cold shoulder and hissing at him when he got close. Diane had no doubt Alice would send him packing if he overstepped his bounds, so she was sure he wasn’t truly harassing her, but whatever their drama was, she hoped they figured things out soon. They both deserved happiness.

The club was still her baby, and she would always have a large part in running it, but she had much more important things to consider now.

She’d spent untold hours healing and getting to know Lauren. The mortal woman’s strength and love for her unborn daughter amazed Diane. The fierce, unconditional love she held for her child gave Diane faith that with time and love, everything would turn out okay for the two of them.

Most of her late nights were spent with Azrael. Some nights he could stay longer than others, but whatever time he had, he shared with her. Whether it was spent as a quiet break in front of the fireplace, passionate lovemaking in their bed, or a simple shower together, they always made time for a few minutes with each other.

Now with the Fates’ newest Runners under his training, he was busy, but soon that would change. When the new recruits were ready, he should have time for a real vacation.

Standing on Widow’s Peak, with Azrael at her side, she surveyed her surroundings. She stood atop the tall hill in a clearing surrounded by lush trees. The lights of her distant city flickered in the distance. She missed her home and would return when she finished, but for tonight she needed the full intensity of her moon. It was full and bursting with its powerful white light. Her White Light. So far the elder gods had ignored her return to Earth with her full powers intact, but she knew it would be only a short time before they took exception. They were fickle beings on even the best of days.

But Alia had been right, Diane had found her solution. She had finally found a way to help Belial’s unborn victims and keep a small portion of her own powers intact.

“Are you sure you should do this alone? I can’t stay, but maybe I can drag Lilith up here to assist you. Is this what you want to do? Unlike the binding, this will be permanent.” Azrael’s fierce protectiveness and concern warmed her and chased away any lingering doubts she might have had. She had Azrael, her club, her crazy family, and she would keep a small fraction of her powers and her immortality. She couldn’t ask for anything more.

“I’ll be fine. Go on. I’ll be at the apartment when you’re done for the night. I love you.” She gave him a lingering kiss. “The moon is at her peak. It’s my time. Go.” She attempted to shoo the male away but he wouldn’t budge. The Light in his eyes surged with love as he looked down into hers. She would never tire of the sight.

“I love you too, more than words can say. Be safe.” The words rumbled deep and low through her as he pressed another kiss below her ear and then swatted her on the ass and nipped her ear.

He launched into the air with a silent sweep of his gorgeous wings. He vanished from view but there was no question he hovered near, invisible, watching. She knew her male, he’d give her the space she needed, but wouldn’t leave her vulnerable at what could be the most important moment of her life.

She stripped bare and stepped to the center of the grassy hilltop. The cool night air whispered softly against her skin, and soft blades of greenery tickled her toes. She felt the subtle harmonies sung by the nature surrounding her. She could have proceeded without them, but it boosted her confidence to have Earth’s approval.

She stood straight and tall with her arms raised to beckon the moon. She closed her eyes and pulled the light of the moon down. The thrum of her power was a steadying force as the narrow beam of light glowed brilliantly along its path to her heart. It merged with her own magic, warming her from the inside out and transforming her body into an overflowing vessel.

Her powers amplified until they were charged with an intensity that shook her to her very bones. The muscles in her jaw ached as she clenched her teeth tightly against the force that rocked her. Her muscles were taut with loving determination to help those who’d been harmed before they had the chance to draw their first breath.

When the light resonated with a force that should have been well beyond her control, she held steady and took a deep breath inside herself.

“Here. This will help,” Alia’s quiet voice whispered beside her as she felt the press of something hard and cold in the palm of her raised hand. Instinctively, without opening her eyes, she knew what the gift was.

It was perfect.

In both hands she clasped the large, flawless crystal above her head. She said the words that beat in her heart and focused the bulk of the combined magic out through the prism. She opened her eyes to watch as the white light of the moon fractured into seven colors. Streams of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet light speared off into different parts of the city, finding their targets.

It may have been too late to help the women, but it wasn’t too late to help the unborn children. They would each have a portion of her magic and could call on the light of the moon for aid when it was needed.